A Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Migration of Highly-Skilled Professionals from Health Institutions in Nigeria

Emigration and immigration/returning (simply put as migration) of highly-skilled professionals are of increasing concern in developing countries of the world. Emigration of core health professionals from Nigeria have been claimed to be increasing towards the developed North, while immigration/returning of health professionals into the country was believed to be increasing as well, over time. Ironically, virtually no empirical study has been carried out to prove these assertions. The study therefore examined the directions and destinations of health professionals from and into selected institutions in the southwestern Nigeria between 1986 and 2010. On this premise, two tertiary (UCH, Ibadan and OAUTHC, Ile-Ife) and one secondary (AMTH, Ibadan) health institutions were purposively selected, while a systematic random sampling was employed in selecting 348 respondents out of 3,089. The trajectories were mapped over space and time and other data analysed. The findings showed emigration was increasing while immigration/returning of health professionals declined over time. Also, the direction was majorly towards developed North and the destination being the United Kingdom (33.0%), followed by the United States of America (27.6%), Canada (12.0%). Immigrants were majorly from Europe (69.0%), while returnees were from the United Kingdom and United States (33.3% each). The study concludes that the rate of emigration of health professionals is alarming, particularly of the doctors, which if not checked, could affect the health system of the country.    Key words: Spatio-temporal, Emigration, Immigration/returning, Health Professionals, Health Institutions, Nigeria.